Between early mornings, endless assignments, sports, jobs, and social lives, it’s easy for students to feel like they’re constantly running on empty. Many students are juggling stress, pressure, and expectations that can take a toll on their mental health. As the school year moves at a fast pace, taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your grades, and learning how to do that can make all the difference.

“I would say that I see depression and anxiety the most in students,” 10th grade counselor Mike Vincent said. “The main advice I would give is that you gotta find somebody to talk to about what’s going on in your head. I would also suggest finding a balance with everything that you do, like sports and classes.”

Another essential thing to do in order to stay mentally healthy is to take care of yourself. “When I am stressed or anxious I like to pray and read my Bible,” sophomore Emily Hudson said. “Sometimes I treat myself with a dirty soda and drive around to help clear my mind.”

Sophomore Calla Fauber also deals with anxiety, like many teens. “When I’m stressed and anxious, I tend to take my anxiety medicine and pray.”

Another common coping mechanism is fidget toys. “When I am stressed out about schoolwork, I play with my NeeDohs,” sophomore Emma Dauwel said.

Overall, self love is just as important as academic success!